Cooking lobster tails in the air fryer is a game-changer: a bit of butter, garlic, and lemon transforms cold, firm shellfish into tender, succulent meat with minimal effort. In under 15 minutes you get a restaurant-style seafood main that’s golden, juicy, and buttery — perfect for a special dinner at home, a romantic night in, or a celebratory meal without the hassle of elaborate preparation.
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails (about 5 oz each), thawed if frozen
- ¼ cup salted butter (melted)
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for smoky depth)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- Lemon wedges and chopped parsley for serving (optional)
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5–6 minutes (depending on tail size)
- Total Time: ~15 minutes
- Servings: 4 tails (serves about 2–4, depending on appetite)
- Cuisine: Seafood / American-style
- Course: Main Course
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Use kitchen shears to cut down the top of each lobster shell lengthwise (from the wide end down toward the tail, but not cutting through the bottom shell).
- Gently spread the shell open and pull the lobster meat up so it sits on top of the shell — this is called “butterflying.”
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Brush the butter-garlic mixture generously over the exposed lobster meat.
- Arrange the lobster tails in the air fryer basket, meat-side up. Do not overcrowd.
- Air fry for 5–6 minutes — for a 5 oz tail, this should be enough. Larger tails might need a minute or two more. The meat should turn opaque and firm.
- Remove carefully, serve with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Extra melted butter on the side makes a great dipping sauce.
Tips & Variations
- Use unsalted butter if you prefer less salt — you can add salt separately if needed.
- Add a splash of white wine or a pinch of herbs (like thyme or parsley) to the butter mixture for a slightly different flavor.
- If tails are on the larger side (>6 oz), check after 5 minutes and add a minute or two if needed — overcooking can make lobster rubbery.
- For a slightly smoky twist, brush with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle a tiny bit of smoked paprika before air frying.
- Serve with garlic-lemon butter sauce, steamed veggies, rice, or a light salad for a complete meal.
Approximate Nutrition (per lobster tail — ~5 oz before cooking)
- Calories: ~200–220 kcal
- Protein: ~24 g
- Fat: ~10–12 g
- Carbohydrates: ~0–1 g
- Sugar: ~0 g
- Sodium: varies depending on butter & salt (about 200–300 mg)
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Use kitchen shears to cut down the top of each lobster shell lengthwise (from the wide end down toward the tail, but not cutting through the bottom shell).
- Gently spread the shell open and pull the lobster meat up so it sits on top of the shell — this is called “butterflying.”
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Brush the butter-garlic mixture generously over the exposed lobster meat.
- Arrange the lobster tails in the air fryer basket, meat-side up. Do not overcrowd.
- Air fry for 5–6 minutes — for a 5 oz tail, this should be enough. Larger tails might need a minute or two more. The meat should turn opaque and firm.
- Remove carefully, serve with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Extra melted butter on the side makes a great dipping sauce.
Notes
- Protein: ~24 g
- Fat: ~10–12 g
- Carbohydrates: ~0–1 g
- Sugar: ~0 g
- Sodium: varies depending on butter & salt (about 200–300 mg)
FAQs
Can I cook lobster tails from frozen?
No — for best results, thaw lobster tails fully first. Cooking from frozen can lead to uneven cooking and a tough texture.
How do I know when the lobster is done?
The meat should be opaque, firm, and white (not translucent). If you have a meat thermometer, an internal temperature of around 140 °F (60 °C) is ideal.
Do I have to butterfly the tails?
Butterflying makes the lobster cook more evenly and gives a nicer presentation — but you can skip it. If you don’t butterfly, place the tails shell-side down and air fry a bit longer, checking doneness carefully.
Can I double the recipe for more servings?
Yes — just make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed, so that lobster tails have space and cook evenly.
